Staff Member

There are people who think that mocks are a waste of time since no one knows how teams will fill needs with free agency, and who may rise up, or down based on pre-draft workouts like the combine and pro days, as well as possible off field incidents. Include medical issues that may be unearthed both positively, and negatively, and it makes it even more of a crap shoot.

Well to those who feel this way, because no one can predict the future this side of Nostradamus, well duh! I think a second before the team picks you have no idea until NFL commissioner Roger Goodell makes the announcement. This is all guess work and it’s just in good fun, but also has merit in that it does kind of determine value at whatever point of the process this is in when a mock is posted. So I offer no apologies, nor do I profess to be the next great prophet of draft day results to come.

This is all about what I would do at this point based on the information I’ve gathered and looking at the team currently constructed if I were king of the Bears draft war room. I am not trying to guess what Emery will do, because like everyone else including Phil Emery himself we have NO idea how the board will fall to the Bears when pick number fourteen overall, and the rest of their six picks is up. With that here we go.

Round one: Aaron Donald Pitt DT 6’1″ 288

Aaron Donald is a disruptive force to any offense. This is why he would be my choice regardless of what scheme the Bears run. With a kid like this you make him fit. He leads the entire draft in tackles for loss of any defender declaring. 28.5 this season alone and 66 in his career. Than you factor in 11 sacks? He even has three passes defended, and four forced fumbles. His career stats are equally as impressive so consistency is not an issue with Donald. (http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/aaron-donald-1.html) High motor and good character also follow. His size is a question, but his positives far outweigh any questions concerning his size. Donald would be my number one target.

Round Two: Stanley Jean-Baptiste Nebraska CB 6’3″ 215

Stanley Jean-Baptiste is a physical specimen. The biggest cornerback in this draft. Very fluid hips for a player of his size which really makes him very intriguing. He may not last until the 19th overall spot in the second, but if he does I’m scooping this kid up! Runs well, Jumps well, changes direction well, and plays physical at the line of scrimmage. Good ball skills. Can high point. Started his career in Nebraska as a wide receiver. Can probably play some safety in the NFL as he did in year two at Nebraska as he certainly has the size. Should be a special teams starter, as well as in your back four from day one. Can hang with tight ends too if the Bears want to switch on one to shut him down if they’re being exploited by one. Positional versatility is always a good thing in the NFL. Also transcends scheme it would appear.

Round three: DaQuan Jones Penn St. DT 6’4″ 323

DaQuan Jones is a large man who also has some wiggle to him. Very fluid athlete for someone who tips the scales at around 330. He is very strong. Extremely effective bull rush as he consistently gets under blockers and wins the pad level battle and gains the leverage necessary to drive blockers into the Quarterback, and disrupt rushing lanes for running backs. He doesn’t tackle as well as one would like. Too much of an arm tackler, but that can be taught. What can’t be taught is his size to athleticism ratio. Very similar to Justin Smith’s game, but with even greater girth. Even though very thick he has a very athletic build. not fat at all. Offers scheme versatility to play multiple positions in multiple schemes. Bears beef up the middle with 2 f their first three picks going on defensive tackles. (http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/daquan-jones-1.html)

Round four: Christian Jones ILB FSU 6’4″ 235

Christian Jones offers scheme and positional versatility. Can stand up and rush off the edge, blitz the A gap, cover the field sideline to sideline, has even covered the slot. Once was even used to defend Sammy Watkins of Clemson in the slot. He’s that type of athlete. Has not produced great numbers in his career at FSU, but that can be due to him playing so many positions. He can be used as a joker specialist, and special teamer in year one, but may just do enough to win an actual spot in the starting lineup from week one, but considering what happened to Bostic I see the Bears being a little more patient this time. Could be the long term solution as the teams quarterback of the defense in the middle. (http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/christian-jones-1.html)

Round five: Craig Loston LSU SS 6’2″ 215

Craig Loston is a big hard hitting strong safety with a ton of athleticism. Enough athleticism to play in coverage, but who isn’t quite there yet. Definitely his biggest weakness is coverage. Something that can be developed I believe because of his athletic ability and length. has pretty good hands when a ball does come within his range. He will however be a beast in the box against the run, and as a blitzer from day one. He’ll also cause a few alligator arm actions from wide receivers who know they’ll be jacked up by Loston prowling the deep middle just waiting to plant a well placed pad in some poor receivers rib cage. The kind is an intimidating force the Bears could surely use.

Round six: (from Tampa) Taylor Hart Oregon DE 6’6″ 292

Taylor hart has the body of baby Huey, but the athleticism of an elite NFL defender. He can play multiple positions, and in multiple schemes. Offers tremendous versatility. Is also an excellent leader in the locker room, and on the field. plays with a high motor and football I.Q. Can drop back in coverage as well. Excellent value here this late in the draft. http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/taylor-hart-1.html

Round Six: (Bears Pick) Gabe Ikard Oklahoma OC 6’3″ 302

Gabe Ikard is a very heady player. High football IQ. Great leader on and off the field and in the locker room. very good feet. highly athletic. Can anchor against bull rushes, and plays with natural leverage. Played against top competition in the best conference. Being with a program like Oklahoma afforded him the opportunity to play with, and against many future NFL players, and it should translate to the next level. Bears get their Center of the future at a very good value.

Good job I like it. I could live with that, I personally like Hagemann over Donald and not sure Baptiste quite so high as for a second. I really like Jones in the 3rd and 4th DT and ILB. I really like to get Niklas TE from Notre Dame but I like the positions you picked and the players, taking Niklas in rd 2 would drastically effect the CB Position. Free agency is gonna have to supplement all this obviously. Good job again.
:23_28_100[1]:

DBS Writer

Way to Def oriented for a draft, I'm assuming you are moving Donald to DE b/c Jones is the guy you'd want playing in the middle of the line, and I don't think he's beating out Paea, unless Paea is still suffering from injuries. I know Donald is a good pick, I'm just wanting the next DT to be a 300+ fatty, 4-3 or 3-4. It just shuts down so much of the run, and this isn't college rb's he'll be facing. Lacy and AP are legit guys that can run inside.

I like that mock. I'm not a big follower of college ball so let me ask this question. Is there any chance the Bears could stay at 14, get a DL and then pick Pryor in the 2nd? I really like Donald and I really like Pryor. Is that a pipe dream?

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